12 things I loved and 12 things I hated about Tom Brady’s time in a Bucs uniform

It’s Valentine’s Day. You’re lounging around, wondering how it all went wrong, wondering how you got here. One moment, you were watching…

By Carter Brantley

12 things I loved and 12 things I hated about Tom Brady’s time in a Bucs uniform
26 slides

Photos: Tampa’s ‘Big John’ triceratops skeleton is unveiled at Glazer Children’s Museum

Nine years after it set a Guinness world record for largest triceratops skeleton—and 66 million years since it actually roamed the earth—Big…

By Ray Roa

On Feb. 1, downtown Tampa's Glazer Children’s Museum unboxed the fossil’s 700-pound skull, complete with the trademark triceratops horns.
76 slides

Photos: Everyone we saw when Tempus Projects re-opened in Ybor City

After stints in separate corners of Seminole Heights, long-running Tampa art gallery Tempus Projects has a new home as one of the…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Everyone we saw when Tempus Projects re-opened in Ybor City
72 slides

Review: First-rate acting, set design and lighting shine in American Stage's sterling 'Crimes Of the Heart'

In a year where many of our politicians feel it’s their patriarchal duty to abridge women’s rights, it’s encouraging to see plays…

By Jon Palmer Claridge

Shelby Ronea, AJ Baldwin and RIta Coleman in American Stage's 2023 production of "Crimes of the Heart".
16 slides

Step inside Screen Door Microcinema, a new hidden gem of Ybor City

Off 7th avenue in the heart of Ybor, three friends have formed Tampa’s first official microcinema with a simple yet potent vision:…

By Jessi Sherbet

Ybor City's Screen Door Microcinema is a 800-square-foot theater that holds 38 seats, has theater quality sound and screen, Super 8-mm, 35-mm, and 16-mm projectors, and a vast collection of films.
23 slides

All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride

For more than a decade now, Winter Wonder Ride has been the vessel for nonprofit onBikes to raise money so it can…

By Ray Roa

All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride
61 slides

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20 bucket list holiday activities in Tampa Bay everyone should do this season

It may not snow in Tampa Bay, but that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of yuletide cheer. Here are a few…

By CL Staff

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum

12210 83rd St. E, Parrish
Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-21
 What is Christmas without trains? Hop aboard the North Pole Express to enjoy a ride from Parrish to the North Pole. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Santa, and have the opportunity to enjoy campfires, activities and entertainment, as well as hot chocolate and cookies which are included with your train ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on date and departure time, but you can get them from $32 and up.
Photo via North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum/Facebook
19 slides

27 of the best Florida books to cozy up with this winter

“Cozy” is a complicated concept in central Florida, especially when it comes to the winter. We just don’t have the same touchstones…

By Caroline DeBruhl, Ray Roa

The Dec. 1, 2022 cover of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
29 slides

Photos: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town

A decade ago, Busch Gardens launched Christmas Town, covering the Tampa theme park with millions of lights, holiday themed shows and displays,…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Photos: Busch Gardens celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town
29 slides

Photos: Enchant Christmas kicks off at St. Pete's Tropicana Field

With a proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg and the flip of a switch to light up a towering tree inside…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Enchant covers St. Pete's infamous indoor baseball stadium during the offseason with millions of Christmas lights.
27 slides

Everything up for bid during Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's annual Holiday Auction (11/21-11/28)

For more than a decade, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay has raised more than $250,000 for local Tampa Bay area charities through our…

By CL Staff

Ultimate Wedding Package (Venue, Planner, Caterer, Cake, Makeup, Photo, & more)
BID NOW

Nova 535 Venue Rental $3,000 Gift Certificate • Can be redeemed for a Sunday event in 2023 (subject to current availability) • Event must be at least 4 hours • Invoice total must meet or exceed the value of the gift certificate to redeem
nova535.com
Value: $3,000

Red Rose Events Full Wedding Planning Package • Personalized wedding day timeline • Contract review & negotiations • Confirmation & assistance finalizing vendor services • Décor guidance & set up assistance • Wedding rehearsal coordination • Day of coordination • Budget direction
lakelandeventplanner.com
Value: $3,500

Elite Events Catering Cheese & Charcuterie Station • For up to 100 guests (to add to your wedding catering package)
eliteeventscatering.com
Value: $1,000

Sea Rose Creative Engagement / Couple Session • Planning the session (location, wardrobe recommendations, creative direction) • 1 hour session time • 50+ edited, digital, high-res photos delivered via an online gallery with unlimited downloads and a full print release 2-3 week turnaround time (location must be within 20 miles of Tampa; typically week day availability due to weddings on weekends)
searosecreative.com
Value: $650

The Hollis Room Event Space Rental • 3-hour event space rental in South Tampa perfect for a bridal shower, wedding shower, or any pre-wedding celebration (includes 6 tables & 24 chairs)
instagram.com/thehollisroom
Value: $600

Renee DiNella Artistry Makeup Application • One makeup application to be used for a photoshoot or special event
reneedinella.com
Value: $150

Allie Cakes Custom 6-inch Cake • Complementary custom 6 inch round cake with your choice of cake design and flavor (feeds about 10 people)
instagram.com/_alliecakes
Value:  $40

Total Package Value: $8,940
Subject to vendor availability.
10 slides

Photos of the Orlando Magic routing the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center

The score was a lot closer than the game actually was when the Orlando Magic beat the Phoenix Suns 114-97 at Amway…

By Ray Roa

Photos of the Orlando Magic routing the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center
114 slides

Tampa Museum of Art debuts expanded gallery spaces with new exhibition ‘Time for Change’

The Tampa Museum of Art will soon open the new exhibition “Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M.…

By Chloe Greenberg

Barthélémy Toguo (Came
roonian, b. 1967)

Road to
Exile
, 2018

Wooden boat, cloth bundles, glass
bottles, and plastic containers

120 x 60 x 45 inches

Jorge M. Pérez Collection, Miami
12 slides

The 'Jurassic World' live tour is bringing dinosaurs back to Tampa this winter

You should probably stick together, for survival, at this one. Tampa Bay “Jurassic World” fans can now go prehistoric for a three-day…

By Chloe Greenberg

In the Jurassic World' live tour, audiences are brought to the jungles of Isla Nublar as scientists are tasked with saving dinosaurs from a corrupt fate.
13 slides

Everyone we saw in Ybor City on Halloween night

Across Tampa Bay, kids and their parents took to the streets in search of treats on Halloween night, but as usual all…

By Ray Roa

Everyone we saw in Ybor City on Halloween night
101 slides

Everyone we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022-23 home opener at Amalie Arena

The Philadelphia Flyers came into Tuesday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning undefeated and left Amalie Arena, well, undefeated after topping…

By Ray Roa

Everyone we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022-23 home opener at Amalie Arena
49 slides

Everyone we saw at Tampa Pride on the River 2022

It's not really the end of summer until Pride on the River takes over the Hillsborough for a Saturday afternoon. Last weekend's…

By CL Staff

Everyone we saw at Tampa Pride on the River 2022
110 slides

Photos from the 2022 Tampa Black Business Bus Tour

Candy Lowe's award-winning Tampa Black Business Bus Tour returned late last month to visit locally-loved Black-and-Brown-owned businesses. 

By Ray Roa

Photos from the 2022 Tampa Black Business Bus Tour
126 slides

Photos of the Tampa Bay Rowdies tying Birmingham in St. Pete last Friday

The Tampa Bay Rowdies host Loudoun United this Saturday, Oct. 8 at Al Lang Stadium, but here are some photos of the…

By Ray Roa

Photos of the Tampa Bay Rowdies tying Birmingham in St. Pete last Friday
68 slides

Everyone we saw at St. Pete's first-ever anime convention

Anime St. Pete, the city's first-ever anime convention, went down at the Coliseum last weekend, and featured nearly 100 vendors, panel discussions,…

By CL Staff

Everyone we saw at St. Pete's first-ever anime convention at the Coliseum
199 slides

23 Tampa Bay pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other "falltivities" to enjoy this season

Ah, another Florida fall with tons of Florida heat. All the more reason for Tampa Bay residents to go the extra mile…

By CL Staff

St. Pete Pier Pumpkin Patch
    600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg
    Select days October 9-17
    Visit the pier for one of the largest pumpkin patches in the area, complete with thousands of pumpkins, hay bales, photo booth, fall refreshments and more!
    Photo via St. Pete Pier/Website
23 slides

Water Street Tampa's newest murals are the work of Italian artist Alessandro Etsom

Water Street Tampa got a little more vibrant last month thanks to new murals by Italian artist Alessandro Etsom. The professional street…

By Chloe Greenberg

New work from Alessandro Etsom at Water Street in Tampa, Florida.
14 slides

Tampa Bay institutions that are long gone, but desperately need a comeback

In this world, things come and go, no matter how much we want them to stay. Tampa Bay has seen its fair…

By Max Steele, Molly Ryan

Kapok Tree Inn
Clearwater’s Kapok Tree Inn was widely known as one of Florida’s most extravagant restaurants as a result of its Renaissance-inspired architecture, garden, waterfalls, chandeliers and themed dining rooms. Despite generating $10 million in sales in 1988, the inn closed in 1991, but the property still remains as an event venue and includes a Sam Ash Music Store.
Photo via Florida State Archives
40 slides

Photos: In Tampa playoff, Trilogy and Power earn trips to Ice Cube's Big3 championship

On Aug. 14, the Big3 Playoffs came to Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa, where two down-to-the-wire games decided the matchup for the…

By Justin Garcia

During the battle between the Monsters and Power, Fans received a surprise from rap legend Ice Cube, co-owner of the league, when he took to the court to perform his classic 'It Was a Good Day.'
92 slides

Record-breaking Florida Cup crowd enjoys Premier League talent during Arsenal's 4-0 win over Chelsea

Believe it or not, these photos were taken in Orlando, not London. Arsenal FC defeated Chelsea FC 4-0 in the Florida Cup…

By Max Steele

Record-breaking Florida Cup crowd samples Premier League during Arsenal's 4-0 win over Chelsea
60 slides

Tampa Bay's 25 biggest internet moments of all time

Aside from the seemingly never ending "Florida man" headlines and gator break-in stories—don't worry, we still included a few—Tampa Bay has been…

By Max Steele

'You know I had to do it to em'
Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Lucky Luciano all have one thing in common, creating works of art. The legendary “You know I had to do it to em” post, featuring Tampa-native Luciano’s pink-on-pink outfit and incredible ankle tan, is nearly eight years old. Lucky for you, you can recreate Lucky’s pose right here in Tampa—but we won’t include the address because the neighbors are already annoyed about all the people re-doing it to ‘em. You can also now buy your very own You Know I Had To Do It To Em YouTooz collectible minifigure for $29.99.
25 slides

20 Tampa Bay hotels and resorts offering beach and poolside day passes for locals

Gone are the days of sneaking past the front desk to use a hotel’s pool for the day, but we’re here to…

By Molly Ryan

Hyatt Regency Sarasota
1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 941-953-1234    
$15-$30
    With its lush greenery, waterfalls and whirlpool hot tub, Sarasota's Hyatt Regency might be the closest you can get to a tropical getaway without a plane ticket. Starting at $15 for children and $30 for adults, day passes get you access to the hotel’s pool, hot tub, sun deck, food and drink services, Wi-Fi and watercraft rentals for its private marina until 8 p.m. Self-parking is $10 and valet is $20.
    Photo via Hyatt Regency Sarasota/website
20 slides

The 20 worst places to park your car in Tampa Bay

Parking in Tampa Bay is bad all around, but some spots are way worse than others. There's no one particular reason for…

By Max Steele

Anywhere along the Courtney Campbell Causeway
Tampa Bay
It can be difficult to find a good spot alongside the bridge, and it doesn't help that people often don't read the signs and end up watching their car float away at high tide. You’ll have to pay at one of the stations after parking in the lots, but at least they have porta-potties. 
Photo via Clearwater Police Department
20 slides

All of the Tampa Bay Lightning fans we saw still shouting 'Go Bolts' after losing the Stanley Cup Final

[image-106]It happened. After winning the last two, the Tampa Bay Lightning actually lost a Stanley Cup final. The Colorado Avalanche’s Game 6…

By Ray Roa

All of the Tampa Bay Lightning fans we saw still shouting 'Go Bolts' after losing the Stanley Cup Final
118 slides

Every thunderstruck fan we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's Game 4 loss at Amalie Arena

It's safe to say that all of Bolts Nation is thunderstruck today. And while Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper probably…

By Ray Roa

Every thunderstruck fan we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's Game 4 loss at Amalie Arena
236 slides